Dharmakirti appointed as the new Bhattaraka of Humcha

About Humcha - Humcha or Hombuja or Hunchadakatte is the well known Padmavati shrine in Karnataka. It is at a distance of 55 Kms from Shimoga the nearest district centre. It can be rated as the most popular abode of all the Padmavati shrines in the world.

Vichara Patta Kshullaka Sri Dharmakeerthi Swamiji will be the new Bhattaraka of Sri Deevendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Peetha at Humcha.

The Bhattarakha seat had fallen vacant since July 14, 2010 owing to the death (samadhi) of its previous Bhattaraka.

The news about the selection of the new pontiff was announced by Dharmadhikari Dr.D. Veerendra Heggade of Dharmasthala, president of the committee that over sees the management of Humcha. It can be recalled here that this committee was constituted after the samadhi of the previous Bhattaraka.

The news was announced after the formal process of asking 'Prasada' from Goddess Padmavati the chief deity of Humcha. Prasada is a ritual followed in Karnataka where in a question is placed before the fully decorated idol of the Goddess by a priest or Shravaka (Jain house holders). Falling of flowers from the right of the idol is considered as auspicious and people go ahead with performing a particular task.

A similar task was followed on Friday September 23, 2011.

About Dharmakirtiji - Dharmakirti is a disciple of Bhattaraka Carukirti of the Shravanabelagola. Dharmakirti was born in 1982 to a middle class family in Sakaleshpura, a taluka in the Hassan district of Karnataka. He joined Gommatesha Vidyapeetha Gurukula, Shravanabelagola at the age of 13, in 1995. Called as Praveen in his purv-ashrama (life as a shravaka) was given the Vichara Patta Kshullakha Diksha in the year 2000 by Sri Charukeerthiji of Shravanabelagola. Since then he has undertaken an in depth study of Jain Agamas, history, literature and other aspects of the religion over the past 12 years. Sri Dharmakeerthiji who holds a master degree in Kannada literature (M.A. Kannada) is currently pursuing his Ph.D. from the University of Mysore. The topic for his dessertation thesis is "Samyaktvakaumudi Ondu Adhyayana" (Samyaktvakaumudi - A Study). He is been guides by Dr.Padmashekhar a professor in the department of Jainology and Prakrits at Mysore. He will be submitting his thesis by next month. Being a disciple of Sri Charukeerthiji he has been well trained in all aspects of the religion. He has participated in many religious celebrations and deliberations as a representative of Sri Kshetra Shravanabelagola. He has also played a pivotal role in the organising of many viharas of Jain Muni Sanghas and is well connected with many Jain Acharya's and Jain samaj's. He has also been instrumental in the development of Sri Kshetra Mahendragiri at Bijapur, the holy abode of Lord Parshvanatha under the guidance of Sri Charukeerthiji.

Pattabhisheka Mahotsava - The decision of conducting the Pattabhisheka Mahotsava (consecration) of Sri Dharmakeerthiji as the Bhattaraka of Humcha and completing other rituals and formalities will be announced on 3rd October after a meeting scheduled at Shravanabelagola. This will be held in the presence and guidance of Sri Charukeerthiji to be attended by Sri Heggadeji and other members of the committee. According to reliable sources the Pattabhisheka is most likely to be held in the month of November 2011 after the Deepavali festival.

Dharmakirti's reaction -"This was possible due to the blessings of Lord Bahubali, Goddess Padmavati and my guru Shri Carukirti Bhattaraka Svamiji of Shravanabelagola. I will work towards the overall development of Shri Kshetra Humcha and the propagation of Jainism."